The psychosocial consequences of childhood infection with human immunodeficiency virus.

This article reviews the available medical literature on the psychosocial and neuropsychiatric implications of childhood infection by the human immunodeficiency virus. This information is supplemented by discussion of cases from our clinical experience. It is clear that different psychosocial issues are confronted by children of different ages (infants, young children or adolescents) and their families. The differences are due partly to the social correlates of different modes of transmission of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the psychosocial risk factors that are associated with certain family life-styles, whether other family members are infected, and the developmental stage and awareness of the child. Psychiatric assessments of these children and their families are recommended as a routine as they will identify potential ethical dilemmas, and will allow for the detection and management of the psychosocial and neuropsychiatric consequences of AIDS.